Yesterday we went to the Nacional Festival de la Hamaca in San Sebastiań. Our word "hammock" comes down through the Spanish from the Taino word, "hamaca." These Taino women, one pregnant and one nursing, lying in their hamacas, were made by one of the artisans exhibiting at the festival. (There are a few more photos from the festival on Flickr.)
While there weren't many hammock makers displaying their works, it was a great time. We saw some wonderful art and craft works and met a number of amazing artisans. This in itself was a good thing. We've been asked a number of times "where are the local artist hangouts and craft shops?" Until now we really didn't have an answer. Now we know. Artisans do exist but what craft shops there are, for the most part are closer to the more touristy places in and near Viejo San Juan.
We keep resisting the urge to expand Ola Lola's to include more artisan wares (and kites). To do so would mean we'd have to expand into more of a retail (ugh!) environment. We don't really have the space for it here so that would mean finding and renting (double ugh!) a space. And wherever we did it, it would mean expanding to retail hours (double triple ugh!). So for now, except for a few pieces that we find fit well here at Ola Lola's, we just enjoy most artwork we find from a distance.
We took Amber and Jazz to the festival. They haven't been out socializing nearly as much here as they were in Michigan. That's partly because we don't go out as much to places they can go. We used to take them just about any- and everywhere. They did great in the crowds. The heat was a bit much for them but sitting in the shade, sharing our lechon asada (roast pork) lunch and a big bucket of water seemed to help.
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